Bulletin for Sunday 23rd August 2009

A warm welcome to everyone who worships with us today.

Our Morning Worship at 11.00am will be led by Mr. Ron Taylor and our 6.30pm Evening Praise will be led by Mr. Peter Vince.

11.00am Worship at Selby Street will be led by Rev. Luke Smith with Holy Communion.

Evening Praise

Words for Meditation: Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

News of the Church

Call to Worship

Hymn     377    Come to us creative spirit

Prayers

The Lord’s Prayer

Hymn     435    For the might of thine arm we bless thee

Reading         Joshua 24.1-2a, 14-18 read by David Stones

Solo               I walked into the Garden. Doris Andrews

Reading          Ephesians 6.10-20 read by David Stones

Hymn     719   Soldiers of Christ Arise

Sermon

Hymn     378    Be thou my vision

Prayers of Intercession

The Offering

 STTL 147        There is a redeemer

Blessing

Thanks to our Accompanists am, David Stones, pm Inga Williams

Dear friends

A couple of weeks ago I preached at Sowerby, a rural church Central Hall had a link with. Summer is a time when many people go on holiday. Perhaps some of us found ourselves in the country side. Recently I recalled a letter and form I received from the State Veterinary Service. It was while I was a Methodist minister asking me to list the livestock within the congregation. These are extracts from my reply; I hope you find it funny!

The letter asked me to list the number of Sheep, Ewes, Rams and Others in the church. Jesus refers to himself as the Shepherd and his followers as sheep (John 10v11). I can therefore tell you that our average Sunday congregation is 14, of those 9 are Ewes (female) and 6 male (Rams). It is fair to say that our chapel is fairly “conservative” in its theology so in the “other” category we don’t have many.

I was then asked to list the number of Pigs. This caused me a little problem I have heard a few of our congregation described (very unkindly and uncalled for) as pigs. Fat Pigs, Greedy Pigs and Ugly Pigs. I however fall into all three categories so makes it difficult to quantify an answer. Whenever we have a cup of coffee after a service a plateful of biscuits are produced. It seems at every opportunity we do enjoy putting our snouts in the trough!

The number of Goats was asked for in the next question. I thought it best I didn’t answer that question. The Bible (Mathew 25v32) tells me it is God who separates the sheep from the goats. I am not God, although it is a mistake many make, quite often I walk into a room wearing a clerical shirt with “dog collar” and I hear “Oh my God”. I am not God I merely work for Him. I suggested the State Veterinary Service contact God in prayer to get an answer to this one.

I was then asked how many were layers and breeding stock. Of the 9 females who worship with us I suspect all have tried laying at one time or another, as to whether they still do, well some questions are best not asked, even in my position. But I estimate 4 are breeding stock. One has produced this year. One is getting married later this year and two would like to if they got the chance.

Movement records were then asked for. I have heard it described that we are a “revolving door church” i.e. people join at the front door and leave at the back door. People join for a number of reasons and leave for an equal number of reasons. The Methodist church, however, does require us to complete an annual statistics form and I enclosed a copy with my reply.

Towards the end of the form I was asked to give details of my Vet. I realise opposition politicians are always ready to criticise the NHS. Time often plays tricks with our minds, to be honest I am not sure if the NHS is getting any worse or not, but at present I continue to find the NHS an efficient resource and my first port of call for medical treatment. It will be a sad day when I have to call the vet for medical treatment.

God Bless,

Luke

Important Notice

Due to my holidays I will have to produce 2 Bulletins for the 6^th and 13^th of September at the same time. If you have Items for either of these bulletins could you please put them in my box in the office or by e-mail by September 2^nd. Thank you. Ron

Hessle Road Community Pram Race and Carnival

  Saturday 5^th September. In the afternoon!  Hessle Road and Newington Park.

  Race to be held along Hessle Road, between ‘Greggs’ and the Boulevard corner. This will involve teams of Prams being pushed down the Road. The teams will come from local business, groups, charities , schools and so on. There will be a marching band too and hopefully other street entertainment and parade.

Then there will be a Carnival on the Field on St Georges Road, ‘Newington Park’. There will be entertainment, food and stalls here. The stalls that are hoped for will represent groups in the area who are doing good things and also perhaps local crafts, hobbies and interests. We obviously would be interested in anything with a nostalgia theme. Stalls will be free (not food stalls). The idea is to get a good community event more than to make money.

If you have something you would like to promote this could be an ideal opportunity. If you are a charity or a 'good' campaign, please get in touch. Stalls are free.

(we are also still on the lookout for entertainers, also get in touch)

  Please get in touch for a chat about the Event if you want and please get in touch to book yourselves or your group a stall.

Please get in touch with

  Julie Robinson 606077  info@hesslerdnetwork.karoo.co.uk   Hessle Roa d Network

Kim Hepple                              ‘ Kim.Hepple@hullcc.gov.uk    Hull City Council